SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1035

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Southwest Airlines on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and

WHEREAS, Southwest Airlines was originally created to serve three Texas cities and was incorporated as Air Southwest by Rollin King and Herb Kelleher in 1967; after a three-year legal battle, the United States Supreme Court declined to review a Texas Supreme Court ruling, and Air Southwest's right to fly was upheld; and

WHEREAS, Air Southwest turned its first profit in 1973 and has done so every year since--a record unmatched in commercial airline industry history; among the company's many innovations was the birth of the "ten minute turn," which was the standard ground time for many years; and

WHEREAS, In 1977, Air Southwest officially became Southwest Airlines, and by 1979, the airline served all the cities it currently serves in Texas; interstate service was soon added, and today, Southwest Airlines has a fleet of 492 aircraft serving 64 destinations across the nation; and

WHEREAS, The Midland International Airport is hosting a 30th anniversary celebration on May 16 to commemorate the official birth of Southwest Airlines; the airport was the seventh to become part of the Southwest system, and Midland and Odessa are currently served by 13 daily nonstop flights to six cities, as well as direct or connecting service to another 41 locations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 80th Legislature, hereby extend congratulations to Southwest Airlines on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in honor of this occasion.

Seliger

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 14, 2007.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate